2011 Toyota Camry Review

A bestselling sedan for over 20 years, the 2011 Toyota Camry is the latest in a long line of fine vehicles bearing this name.

2011 Toyota Camry

A bestselling sedan for over 20 years, the 2011 Toyota Camry is the latest in a long line of fine vehicles bearing this name. It is one of the most popular midsize family cars on the market and the reason for its success is its overall resale value, its excellent safety ratings and the outstanding number of interior features that makes for more than just a pleasant driving experience. All the amenities of the previous year's version are back for 2011 and buyers will still appreciate the comparisons between Camry and its major competitors, the Honda Accord, Chevy Malibu and Hyundai Sonata.

Features

The Camry remains virtually unchanged from 2010, with the exterior design the same and the available trim levels intact. Besides the base model there is the LE, SE, XLE and Hybrid. The standard 4-cylinder engine found in the base model is also available in the uplevel versions but buyers have the option of the larger V6 if they want a bit more horsepower.

The new Hybrid has an estimated highway fuel efficiency of over 35 mpg, a good total for a midsize car that weighs as much as the Camry does. The excellent crash test and safety scores remain far above most of the other vehicles in its segment, and this has been one of Toyota's biggest selling points when advertising the Camry. The company has always pushed this model as a family-friendly model and it's no wonder that the car is still a favorite among those with children, as well as a good choice for commuters and those who carpool. The inline 4-cylinder engine is not the most powerful in its class but is extremely reliable and the larger V6 is considered the best engine of its type on the market.

Performance

The above-mentioned 2.5L 4-cylinder DOHC engine cranks out 170 horsepower, plenty to get a full load up and moving on the highway or byway. The larger 3.5L V6 24 valve engine has a total of 268 horsepower and over 245 lb-ft. of torque. Camry is rated as an extremely low emission vehicle. scoring well above most of the competition. The transmission is 6-speed, manual on the base model and the optional automatic transmission available on all trims. Camry has front wheel drive, variable assist rack and pinion steering and has the Vehicle Stability Control with off switch, traction control system and 4-wheel anti-lock brakes on all trims.

The Camry Hybrid model has a 244V Nickel-Metal Hydride battery that can deliver 199 lb-ft. of torque. It has electronically controlled continuously variable transmission and the battery motor is coupled to the same 2.4L engine found in the base model.

Camry rides on MacPherson strut front suspension and dual link MacPherson strut rear suspension. The gas filled shock absorbers and stabilizer bar are key elements that contribute heavily to the vehicle's smooth ride on rough roads. All Camry trims have the same unitized steel body construction with both front and rear anti-vibration subframes.

Styling

Not much has changed in terms of the overall appearance of the Camry. The current model has the same basic look, with the somewhat squared design, the same shape to the doors and the same angle of the windshield. The overall length of the vehicle is 189 inches and there remains the nice 58 inches of shoulder room, the 54 inches of hip room and the seating of five passengers quite comfortably in the roomy cabin.

The instrumentation features large, easy-to-read gauges and dials, the cabin itself is a showcase of ergonomics, with the interior roominess seeming larger than it really is. The wide seats the car is known for are back for 2011, and the ice-blue backlighting for the audio controls returns for the 2011 models. There is a fake wood trim available on the uplevel Camry models, and the reclining rear seats found on the SE and XLE are an exciting addition not seen on most of the comparable models in this segment.

All Camry trims come with a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, multi-adjustable front bucket seats and 60/40 split fold-down rear seats. The air conditioning system has a nice, advanced air filtration system and the AM/FM radio includes a CD player, MP3 playback and a favorable speaker arrangement.

Safety

Camry has long been recognized as one of the safest midsize sedans available and has the history to prove it. The outstanding safety systems in place are standard on all trims and include the Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Smart Stop Technology. The 2011 Toyota Camry has driver and front passenger airbags, seat-mounted airbags from driver and front passenger, driver's knee airbag and side curtain airbags in both front and rear seating areas.

Camry has an exceptionally well designed front and rear crumple zone construction, side-impact door beams, a collapsing steering column, 3-point seat belts in both front and rear, all with automatic emergency locking retractors, the LATCH system for child safety, child protector rear door locks, internal trunk release handle and an engine immobilizer. The direct tire pressure monitoring system gives real-time information and there is an interior lights deactivating system that saves on battery power.

Camry comes with a full warranty and corrosion protection package and has one of the highest resale values on the market thanks to the built-in safety features and the overall excellent construction.

Although challenged by more and more midsize sedans than ever before, the 2011 Toyota Camry will still come out at or near the top of the heap when compared to the competition. This car is still an impressive value, one of the safest models available and with an excellent reputation as a dependable vehicle in nearly any climate and under the most severe driving conditions.

Related Links

Camry 2011 | Toyota.comThe Toyota Camry - Features and Prices for all car models: Camry, LE, SE and XLE, as well as the Camry Hybrid Car.